Y2Jimmy0

Here is Mock Draft 2.0 that I released today: https://www.futuresox.net/2026/06/21/2026-mlb-mock-draft-2-0/ Grady Emerson Draft Profile: https://www.futuresox.net/2026/06/17/2026-mlb-draft-profile-grady-emerson/ Jacob Lombard Draft Profile: https://www.futuresox.net/2026/06/08/2026-mlb-draft-profile-jacob-lombard/ MLB Draft Notebook 4.0: https://www.futuresox.net/2026/06/09/white-sox-2026-mlb-draft-notebook-4-0/

I'm not sure. I know the Sox have actively looked for another pick. Rosenthal reported that Pirates are open to trading theirs. I'm sure other clubs who have a better fit are also interested though.

I'm not sure. I was thinking about Jacob Gonzalez to a different club, controllable reliever to the Pirates and #34 to the White Sox maybe. The Pirates are cheap. I don't think they want to spend $20 million on the draft. They didn't even spend their full pool last year. They have two second round picks in addition to the Comp A.

Thinking that Roch Cholowsky is maxed out is fucking insane considering what the Sox have done with some hitters of late.

Yes.

This seems about right. I would prefer Emerson if there's a discount but I don't think there will be. I don't think either guy gets $10 million but they both break the record of $9.3 million at 1.

Haven't heard Battista specifically but also haven't asked. Where's he committed to? They know Bass very well from their Area Codes team. Outside of Landon Thome; Jack Slightom of Lyons Township is a name I'd keep an eye on and Gavin Swartz from Normal could be an option as well.

We discussed this on the FutureSox podcast. I'd make the trade in a heartbeat.

Probably. It's a fair argument to say that they should've already have that $500K spent. It's also fair to say that they should hold onto it and sign random players. They have until December 15th this year to use it. If they do this in future classes; I'll get upset about it. This particular signing class from 1/15 was the last Marco Paddy class with some additions by Keller's crew. It looks pretty promising. They signed a full class. I don't have much issue with using the money this way instead of just not spending it but I understand being frustrated by it.

They actually acquired Jones and cash from he Guardians and they're allowing Cleveland to spend $250K of their own money on international prospects. Essentially gave up nothing.

Teams are just over-committed on pool usage. Need to acquire the right to spend more money to actually pay for already agreed upon players.

I reached out to David Kaplan. He told me that he "saw it mentioned somewhere". I saw it earlier this week too. My interpretation (and I've reached out to some national draft people) is that it's a google AI mistake conflating Cholowsky and Tyler Bell. It would be a massive story if Cholowsky needed a surgery.

I don't get the Burress thing. I think Tyler Bell is the 3rd best college position player in the class. Burress is a 5-8, RHH corner guy. The issue is also that anyone who takes a physical has to get 75% of slot at #1. $8.5 million is basically the lowest you could pay anyone at 1. I'm not sure Cholowsky gets more than $9.5 million. Seems like a waste of time.

Probably David Eckstein haha. La Russa once traded newly drafted Dansby Swanson for Shelby Miller.

On the latest MLB Pipeline podcast, Callis and Mayo discussed percentage chances at #1. It was interesting. Callis said 45% Cholowsky, 40% Emerson and 15% Lackey. Mayo said 40% Roch, 40% Emerson and 20% Lackey.